ON THE RUN Kicking off the The Boston Festival of Films from Iran is "Closed Curtain," a 2013 film by Jafar Panahi (banned by Iranian officials from filmmaking until 2030) and Kamboziya Partovi. When a woman on the run joins a screenwriter in hiding with his illegal dog (considered "unclean" under Islamic law), he thinks she is a spy. Jan. 17, 7 p.m. (through Jan. 26). $11, $9 students and seniors. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 800-440-6975, www.mfa.org/film

BLUES ON FIRE With a father who played blues piano and a mother who listened to B.B. King records, it's no surprise that their son, Joe Louis Walker, landed in the blues biz. At 16, Walker was the house guitarist at San Francisco's The Matrix and played with or opened for Jimi Hendrix, Thelonious Monk, and others. The blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter celebrates the release of "Hellfire." Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. $20. Regattabar at the Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Cambridge. 617-395-7757, www.regattabarjazz.com

SATURDAY

NO DOUBT A recent Chicago Tribune review noted that Jay Z announced during his opening song at the United Center ("U Don't Know"): "I will not lose ever." And on his Life and Times culture site, the rapper rated his own discography ("Reasonable Doubt" landed on top). The Beyoncé hubby and uber businessman (Barney's and the Shawn Carter Foundation anyone?) is here to win, no doubt. Jan. 18, 8 p.m. $32.50-$150. TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com

KEEN ON KEEN "The best songs fall together like magic. Ask any songwriter – the lyrics, music and recording come together perfectly; never to come apart." Enjoy an evening of magic by Robert Earl Keen, the musician who uttered these words who will utter a lot more in song and story. The New York Times has described the Americana singer/songwriter's voice as "weather-beaten...bleary, rough-hewn and game for more." Jan. 18, 6 p.m. doors. $27. 18+. Royale, 279 Tremont St., Boston. 800-745-3000, www.royaleboston.com

PERILS OF PINK Too much of a good thing happens to Pinkalicious when she eats too many pink cupcakes and comes down with Pinkititis. Nine young actors perform in "Pinkalicious the Musical" based on the books by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann. Jan. 18, 2 p.m. (through Feb. 2). $25. Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St., Boston. 617-424-6634, ext. 222; www.bostonchildrenstheatre.org

SUNDAY

HEAR HIM Zimbabwe singer and songwriter Oliver Mtukudzi pens tunes about his people’s day-to-day lives and challenges. Known as "Tuku," his Afropop music is called "Tuku music," and his talents are not lost on Bonnie Raitt who recorded a cover of "Hear Me Lord." Oliver Mtukudzi & The Black Spirits perform in Somerville. Jan. 19, 7 p.m. $28. Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq., Somerville. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org